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Raptors pull off big win over Cavaliers on Drake Night

TORONTO – It’s not often LeBron James is in a room with someone that can match his stardom, but that was the case Wednesday night. There was Drake sitting courtside with his mom – he’s got a bit of a soft side, you know? – for the Toronto Raptors’ third annual Drake Night.

And Drake, by title the team's global ambassador, was everywhere. The Hotline Bling light box was set up outside the arena for fans to mimic Drake’s dances moves from his now infamous video. The seats were draped with Drake's designed t-shirts for the fans. Drake took the mic to announce the Raptors' starting lineup and the Raptors even wore their new black and gold alternate uniforms for the first time, a nod Drake’s record label October’s Very Own.

"This is surreal," Drake said before the game as he held court surrounded by media and cheering fans.  "Even though it’s in my name it’s something we always do for the city. We try and get caught up and create exciting moments. Yes, it’s named after me but it’s definitely dedicated to Toronto. Everything to do with Toronto y’all know I’m on board."

Kyle Lowry and Drake. (The Canadian Press/Darren Calabrese)
Kyle Lowry and Drake. (The Canadian Press/Darren Calabrese)

The connection between entertainers and athletes has always been strong. Sports Illustrated did a cover story in 1999 featuring rapper Ice Cube in a Los Angeles Lakers jersey and Lakers star Shaquille O’Neal in a all-white suit and the teaser: “Why athletes want to be rappers and rockers, and rappers and rockers want to be athletes.”

Drake isn't going to suit up for the Raptors anytime soon, but getting his name on the marquee will do. The first two incarnations of Drake Night were held when the Brooklyn Nets were in town. But with the Nets sitting just above the winless Sixers at the bottom of the standings and that rivalry now played out, the Raptors set their sights a little higher with James and the reigning Eastern Conference champion Cleveland Cavaliers.

Toronto rose to the occasion, led by Kyle Lowry who scored a game-high 27 points. Lowry hit a three to put the Raptors up 91-84 with 5:38 left . The Cavaliers called a timeout. Drake stood up from his seat next to the Raptors bench, pointed at his bicep and flexed. Peak Toronto. The Raptors held on to for a 103-99 win, easily their biggest win of the season, and gave their global ambassador and an energized crowd reason to cheer.

"The atmosphere was unbelievable," said Toronto native Cory Joseph. "[Drake’s an] icon and role model in the city, a lot of people look up to him. It’s great that he has a night here and it was a great experience for me."

"It just shows you the fan support here. We’ve got some of the best fans in the world. It was great, it was exciting," said DeMarre Carroll. "But I don’t only want our fans coming out for Drake Night. Come out every night, every home game. Because I think we have something special here.”

Playing the way they did against the favourite in the East consistently is how to make sure it happens over and over again. You know Drake will be there.

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Israel Fehr is a writer for Yahoo Canada Sports. Email him at israelfehr@yahoo.ca or follow him on Twitter. Follow @israelfehr